Compact burnisher

ABSTRACT

A burnisher of a relatively small size and light weight is provided. Such a burnisher is easier to transport between buildings and sites within a building, is more conveniently stored in small closets and is more maneuverable in congested and tight areas, such as retail aisles or healthcare facility rooms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to floor cleaning equipment and more particularly to a burnisher for applying floor treatment products and burnishing action to floors.

[0002] Conventional burnishers, such as those sold under the designation BUFFMAN are large battery powered machines with an overall length of 48 inches, an overall width of 24 inches, an overall height of 48 inches and an overall weight of about 300 pounds. Such a machine is powered with a set of 4 six volt batteries, having a combined weight of over 160 pounds. Each battery is approximately 10 inches long, 7 inches wide and 8 inches high. These batteries are used to power a 24 volt, 65-80 amp motor, which spins a floor pad driver at approximately 1800 rpm.

[0003] While effective for burnishing floors, conventional commercial burnishers can be large, unwieldy and difficult to transport. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a burnisher which overcomes drawbacks present with conventional burnishers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a burnisher of a relatively small size and light weight is provided. Such a burnisher is easier to transport between buildings and sites within a building, is more conveniently stored in small closets and is more maneuverable in congested and tight areas, such as retail aisles or healthcare facility rooms. Such a burnisher can be provided with a weight of less than about 200 pounds, preferably less than 175 pounds. Such a burnisher is powered with a relatively small engine, of generally less than 2 HP, preferably less than 1.5 HP, yet capable of spinning a floor pad driver at 1500 to 2000 rpm. The burnisher is preferably powered with a relatively small motor, drawing less than 50 and preferably less than 40 amps.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved burnisher which is more convenient to use than conventional burnishers.

[0006] The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a burnisher constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

[0009]FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram for use with the burnisher of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a burnisher constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown generally as burnisher 100. Burnisher 100 includes a housing 110 and a pair of wheels 120 mounted on housing 110. Burnisher 100 is operated by pushing on a handle 130, which preferably includes controls such as an ON/OFF switch 270 at a top portion 135. The angle of handle 130 can be adjusted by use of an adjustment sleeve and knob combination 137.

[0011] Burnisher 100 includes a set of 3 twelve volt batteries 210 connected in series, to generate 36 volts and power a brush drive motor 250, which is mounted within housing 110. Each of batteries 210 are about 7.5 inches long, 5 inches wide and 6 inches high. They are preferably rated at 50 amp hours. Brush motor 250 powers a brush 150 which spins at approximately 1800 rpm. A preferred example of a motor 250 for use with burnisher 100 is a 1.4 HP motor operating at about 1800 rpm and drawing 38 amps at 36 volts, such as that produced by Motor-Imperial Electric.

[0012] Burnisher 100 also includes a solenoid 220, such as one available under the designation ESSEX, rated at 100 amps at 36 volts, coupled to batteries 210. A circuit breaker 230, such as a 45 amp circuit breaker, is positioned between solenoid 220 and motor 250. A micro switch 260, such as a 20 amp micro switch and ON/OFF switch 270 are also included between motor 250 and batteries 210. Micro switch 260 can be used to ensure that power to motor 250 is disconnected in the event burnisher 100 is in an inoperable condition, such as one in which brush 150 will not turn properly. Solenoid 220 is useful for decreasing the power to switch 270, for safety purposes. Finally, burnisher 100 can include an adjustment mechanism 170, for ensuring proper contact between brush 150 in the floor, or to raise brush 150 off the floor, as desired.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of burnisher 100 has an overall length of 30 inches, an overall width of 21 inches and an overall height of 14 inches. The 3 batteries 210, together weigh about 80 pounds and the overall weight of burnisher 100 can be 160 pounds.

[0014] It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0015] It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A burnisher, comprising a housing; a battery system mounted on the housing; a motor mounted on the housing and connected to and powered by the battery system; a brush mounted on and powered by the motor; said burnisher constructed and arranged to weight less than about 200 pounds.
 2. The burnisher of claim 1 , wherein the battery system weighs less than 100 pounds.
 3. The burnisher of claim 1 , wherein the battery system weighs not more than about 80 pounds.
 4. The burnisher of claim 1 , wherein the motor draws 50 amps or less.
 5. The burnisher of claim 1 , wherein the motor draws 40 amps or less.
 6. The burnisher of claim 1 , wherein the batteries are rated at 50 amp hours.
 7. The burnisher of claim 4 , wherein the batteries are rated at 50 amp hours.
 8. The burnisher of claim 4 , wherein the motor can spin the brush at over 1500 rpm.
 9. The burnisher of claim 5 , wherein the motor can spin the brush at over 1500 rpm.
 10. The burnisher of claim 7 , wherein the motor can spin the brush at over 1500 rpm.
 11. The burnisher of claim 2 , wherein the battery system comprises three 12 volt batteries.
 12. The burnisher of claim 1 , wherein the burnisher weighs not more than about 160 pounds.
 13. The burnisher of claim 10 , wherein the burnisher weighs not more than about 160 pounds. 